Amy wrote:
>A few weeks ago I took a ferret to get a health certificate for shipping
>via airplane.  I didn't go to my regular vet - who is an hour away - and a
>health certificate is so simple anybody can do one.  Anyhow, this vet told
>me that she couldn't list the distemper shots I gave the ferret on the
>health certificate.  She told me that unless given by a vet, the distemper
>shots are not recognized by any state....
 
Amy
 
I talked with my vet and he says that distemper shots given at home are
recognized by the state - its rabies that must be administered by a vet.
The reason for that is if the animal was involved in a bite case, the vet
has to prove that the vaccination was given properly.  In distemper cases,
the only thing that happens if the vaccine was administered properly is
that the ferret has no protection against distemper. :(
 
I would consult another vet and ask, just in case its a state-by-state
thing.  My own shot records have been recognized by British Airways (an
adopter moved overseas and I had given the last distemper shots for the
ferret) so I don't understand why it would be a big deal.
 
Good Luck with the Health Certificate!
 
Lisa, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
URL: http://www.kozykingdom.com/ferrethaven
[Posted in FML issue 2488]